Friction damped railway truck



Feb. 3, 1948. e. F. COUCH FRICTION DAMPED RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Oct. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l GLENN F. COUCH Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFF-ICE rmcrron DAMPED RAILWAY raocx Glenn F. Couch, Rochester, N. Y., assig'nor to The Symington-Gould Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application October 9, 1944, Serial No. 557,869

20 Claims. 1

The invention pertains to a railway truck particularly of a four-wheel type adapted for high speed service.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck, an arrangement and association of components capable of permitting the truck to check or control all the external impulses to which it will be subjected in service.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck, an arrangement of parts whereby a brushing or wiping action of some of the parts against other parts will create frictional forces to smooth out the action of supporting springs.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck,'a friction means associated with a side frame with a bolster transversely movable independently of the friction means and removable therefrom to place the railway truck in a class commonly known as a quick wheel change truck.

The above as well as numerous other objects will become apparent from the succeeding de scription considered together with the accompanying drawings; the latter of which disclose in several views a single embodiment of the'invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial front elevational view and partial vertical sectional view of a railway truck of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial plan View and partial horizontal sectional view of the railway truck of Figure 1 and taken along the lines 2-2 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a somewhat central transverse sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figiu'e 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings,

wherein like reference characters designate like parts, the numeral I is employed to indicate in a general manner, a railway truck having two transversely spaced side frames 2 only a portion of one of which is illustrated since it is well known in the art thata railway truck contains two such side frames and that they are vertically disposed and extend in a longitudinal direction. Each side frame comprises a lower or tension member 3 and and an upper or compression member 4 spaced vertically and joined intermediate tending guide columns 6 to define a window or opening 6 therebetween. Each guide column is desirably, in horizontal cross section, H-shaped' throughout a portion thereof and channel or cshaped for the remaining portion for the purpose to be hereinafter explained or made apparent.

Specifically a guide column comprises a vertically directed web 1 arranged at its upper greater half with inwardly directed, transversely spaced, inner and outer flanges ,8 and 8a respectively to restrict a clear opening into the upper portion of the window. The flanges are joined to the compression member but for reasons to be hereinafter apparent terminate short of the tension member to thereby enlarge the lower portion of the window. The column web is provided with transversely spaced supplementary flanges 9 which extend from adjacent the transverse limits of the web toward a related extremity of the side frame and merge at their ends with the compression and tension members.

Mounted upon the tension member within the lower enlarged portion of the window is a group or nest of coil or helical springs l0 forming a resilient mounting for related components of the truck. In the present structure the resilient mounting is formed by springs of the same type and size and, accordingly, being of the same characteristics, they have a substantially uniform period of vibration so that if some control or check therefor is not provided at certain speeds of the truck, external impulses caused by irregularities in the rails, road bed, etc., will synchronize with the vibrations of the springs to cause the latter to go solid on compression. Several solid compressive actionsof the springs is considered With the above as a background, there has been incorporated in the truck a friction means capable of brushing or wiping against the guide columns to create frictional forces for dampening, snubbing, checking or controlling the actions of the nest of coil springs. As exemplary of such a friction means, there is provided a saddle member, integral means, top spring plate or beam it formed in part by a bed plate l2 having an under surface i3 thereof forming a suitable seat for the upper extremity of the nest of springs. The opposite or upper side of the bed plate has a series of transversely arranged, longitudinally extending recesses, cups or cradles ll adapted to accommodate suitable rollers or movable means II. Superimposed upon the rollers is a bolster extremity I 6 formed by a top wall I1 and a vertically spaced lower wall I! joined by side walls IS with the over-all distance between the side walls being of a dimension considerably less than 'the clear opening of the upper portion of the will be noted by the presence of the rollers the,

bolster is afforded a free transverse movement of the truck and sincethe bolster extremity is devoid of outer stop lugs a quick wheel change operation can be easily and readily accomplished by raising the bolster extremity until it clearsthe rollers at which time the side frame, inclusive of the coil springs, saddle and other related components, can be shifted as a unit laterally away from the bolster end.

The saddle bed plate has, adjacent its longitudinal limits, upstanding or vertical walls 20 which extend transversely of the. truck. at least for the horizontal extent of the column flanges and terminate short of the overlying compression member adjacent to the bolster top wall to permit a vertical servic movement of the bolster due to the actions of the subiacent group of springs. The vertical walls are disposed between the bolster side walls and the column flanges and thus have inwardly facing plane surfaces 2| arranged to be contacted by correspondingly disposed surfaces 22 on the bolster side walls and, accordingly, guide the bolster in a, predetermined path during its transverse movement. Plane outwardly facing surfaces 23 are disposed on the opposite side of the vertical walls from the inwardly facing surfaces to lie adjacent parallel window defining surfaces 24 formed on the column flanges to function as guide means in maintaining the saddle in a predetermined vertical path or within certain limits. Outstanding from each saddle vertical wall is an integrally formed shoe 25 extending into a related column and having an inclined surface 26 disposed at an angle transversely of the truck so that it is directed longitudinally of the truck and extends from the upper limits of the shoe downwardly and outwardly toward the lower extremity of the shoe. Each inclined surface faces outwardly of the truck or toward a related end of the bolster.

Disposed oppositely from the inclined surface of each shoe is a vertically directed relief, pocket or housing 27 opening inwardly of thetruck toward an inner flange '8 of the column. Positioned or arrested within the shoe pocket is a pad of compressed resilient material 28 which may be of rubber, rubber compound or any compressible material so long as it forms a yieldable means capable of acting outwardly of the pocket in a direction transversely or inwardly of the truck. Interlocked with each shoe is a wear means, block or friction plate 29 preferably of channel configuration and as such comprises a vertical wear plate 30 arranged to be urged transversely of the truck by the encased rubber pad. Each wear plate terminates in vertically spaced legs 3! which extend into a related pocket in overlapping relation to the pad and in telescoping relation with the shoe so as to be capable of moving vertically therewith. The inner flanges 8 of the columns are provided with inwardly facing wear plates 32 secured to the column flanges by any desired means and arranged to be contacted constantly by the shoe blocks so that during a vertical movement of the saddle, frictional forces will be created on contiguous surfaces of the column wear plates and shoe blocks to thereby assist in controlling the actions of the coil springs.

Disposed within each column is a movable means or wedge 33 of substantially hollow construction and comprising vertical side walls 33a vertically spaced and lying adjacent to a related saddle vertical wall and column web. The wedge side walls are joined adjacent one or an inner edge thereof by a sloping wall 34 carrying a surface 35 in intimate contact with the shoe inclined surface. The surface of the inclined wall is arranged to move along the correspondingly disposed surface of the shoe so as to effectively change the transverse or horizontal distance over the shoe and related wedge to thereby ensure constant friction on designated surfaces. Joining the end of the wedge side walls opposed fromthe inclined wall is a bulkhead 36 provided with an outward opening pocket, housing or relief 31 which has encased therein a pad of resilientmaterial 38 which may be of the same composition as the pad 28. Assisting in maintaining the pad 38 within the related pocket is a wear means, friction plate or block 39 having a wear plate 40 thereof bearing against and arranged to be urged away from the shoe by the compressed related resilient pad. The vertical limits of the wedge wear plate are inturned as reentrant legs 4| which are in telescoping relation with thewedge since they extend within the pocket thereof and, accordingly, any tendency of the wedge to move vertically in response to an action of the supporting springs I 0 will cause the wedge blocks to move simultaneously with the wedges. The outer flange of each column has, on the inner side thereof, a wear plate 42 secured to the flange by any well known means and arranged to be constantly contacted by the wedge shoe wear plate. Any vertical movement of the wedge will cause the creation of frictional forces on the contiguous surfaces of the wedge shoe and related column wear plate to also assist in snubbing the action of the nest of coil springs. The frictional forces created on the column wear plates are believed to be positive and constant because of the ability of the flexible pads to adjust themselves within the pockets and thereby ensure a true and accurate surface contact between the shoe and wedge blocks and column wear plates.

It is to be noted that inassembled relation the shoes and wedges are spaced a predetermined distance inwardly or away from the column wear plates and thus the friction means is afforded some extremely limited angling or transverse movement but, however, any movement in a horizontal direction will be controlled by reason of the presence and location of the pads.

Means has been incorporated in the friction means to maintain the shoes and wedges in assembled relation as well as urge them toward one another and as exemplary of such a means there is disclosed a horizontal web 43 intermediate the height of each wedge and joined integrally with the remaining components of the wedge. Positioned or housedwithin each wedge and bearing vertically or downwardly against the wedge web is a coil or helical spring 44, A cap or upper spring plate 45 is mounted upon the coil spring 44' and is of such dimensions as to fit within the confines of the wedge. The cap and coil spring is sleeved over a bolt 46 having at its accuses upper extremity a head 4! bearing upon the cap to control the compressive value of the underlying spring and a stem 48 which extends downwardly through a suitable aperture in a wedge web. The saddle bed plate is extended horiwntallyv and longitudinally of the truck to project into the columns and thus join the lower edges of the shoes to the bed plate. These extensions form ledges or shelves 49 which are apertured for the reception of the bolt' stems which continue therebeyond to have their free or lower extremities provided with rotatable means or nuts 50. By a manipulation of each nut the effective length of the bolt can be altered and not only will the related shoe and wedge be made to assume their proper relationship but thefrictional forces on each side of the bolster can be definitely equalized to permit a true vertical movement of the friction means or saddle. l

From the above it will become apparent that various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described construction without departing from within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a railway truck, a, side frame having spaced columns defining a. bolster opening, each column having spaced surfaces therein, a spring plate within said opening and mounted on resilient means; a bolster supported by said spring plate and arranged to move laterally of said truck relative thereto, shoes formed on said spring plate betweensaid spaced surfaces, wedge means associated with said shoes between said surfaces,

' means for holding said shoes and wedge means in I provided with spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely movable bolster positioned between the columns, the combination of, a spring plate between said columns in supporting relation to said bolster and bearing upon a nest of coil springs. shoes between said spaced surfaces and rigid with said spring the combination of, a spring plate supported by coil springs carried by said side frame, means carried by said spring plate for supporting and permitting a transverse movement of said bolster, shoes formed integrally with said spring plate and extending into said columns, wedges within said columns in abutting relation with said shoes. means including ,a resilient element connecting said shoes and wedgeapockets in said shoes and wedges. and friction means within said pockets and in engagement with said spaced surf-aces.

5. In a railwaytruck wherein a side frame is provided with spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely movable bolster positioned between the columns, the combination of, a spring" plate between said columns and supported by coil springs carried by said side frame, movable means carried by said spring plate for supporting and permitting a transverse movement of said bolster, shoes formed integrally with said spring plate and extending into said columns, inclined surfaces on said shoes, wedges having inclined surfaces engaging said shoe inclined surfaces, flexible means connecting said shoes andwedges, op ositely facing pockets in said shoes and wedges, wear means extending into said pockets and interlocked with said shoes and wedges, and resilient' means within said pockets urging said wear means against said transversely spaced surfaces.

6. In a railway truck wherein a side frame-is provided with spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely bolster, shoes formed integrally with said spring plate, wedges between said spaced surfaces and engaging said shoes, oppositely facing pockets in said shoes and wedges, wear means interlocked with said shoes and wedges in said pockets, and resilient means in said pockets urging said wear means against said spaced surfaces.

3. In a railway truck wherein a side frame is provided with spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely movable bolster positioned between the columns, the combination of, a saddle member between said columns in'jsupporting relation to said bolster and bearing upon a nest of coil springs. shoes betweensaid spaced surfaces and formed integrally with said saddles member, movable wedges between said spaced surfaces and engaging said shoes, flexible means connecting said shoes and wedges, oppositely facing pockets in said shoes and wedges, wear means interlock with said shoes and wedges, and means in said pockets urging said wear means against said spaced surfaces.

4. In a railway truck wherein a. side frame is provided with spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely movable bolster positioned between the columns,

plate and extending into said columns, inclined surfaces on said shoes, wedges having inclined surfaces engagin said shoe inclined surfaces, flexible means connecting said shoes and wedges, oppositely facing pockets in said shoes and wedges, wear means carried'by and arranged to move vertically with said shoes and wedges, and rubber means within said pockets for urging said wear means transversely of said truck into surface bearing relation with said spaced surfaces;

' 7. In a railway truck wherein a side frame is providedwith spaced columns each having transversely spaced surfaces therein and a transversely movable bolster positioned between the columns, the combination oi, a spring plate supported by coil springs carried by said .side frame, means carried by said spring plate and in turn carrying and affording a transverse -movement of said bolster, shoes formedintegrally with said spring plate and extending into said columns, wedges within said columns, oppositely facin pockets within said shoesand-wedges, means formed on said shoes and wedges for urging said pockets away from-one another, means connecting said shoes and wedges, wear means extending into said pockets and movable relative to said side frame by said shoes and wedges, and rubber means disnecting all of said iva'llsfand removable wear encase to move with said wedge in one direction and relative to said wedge in another direction.

9. In a wedge for use in a railway truck, the combination of, a vertical wall and a vertically inclined wall spaced from one another, a cup formed in said wedge and having at one end a spring seat connecting said walls, a pocket in said vertical wall, a wear plate extending into said pocket and arranged to move in one direction simultaneously with said wedge, and rubber means within said pocket for urging said wear plate away from said wedge.

plate in each pocket arranged to move with said spring plate and resilient means in each pocket for urging an associated wear plate outwardly of a related pocket.

18. In a spring plate, the combination of, a base having a lower surface arranged'to bear upon a nest of coil springs and an upper surface arranged 10. In a wedge for use in a railway truck, the

combination of, a vertical wall and a vertically inclined wall spaced from each other, a spring seat connecting said walls intermediate the height thereof, a pocket in said vertical wall opening away from said inclined wall, a wear plate extending into said pocket and being arranged to move inwardly and outwardly of said pocket, and rubber means within said pocket for urging said wear plate away from said wedge.

11. In a wedge for use in a railway truck, the combination of, a vertical wall and a vertically inclined wall spaced from one another for the accommodation of a spring, a pocket in said vertical wall opening outwardly of said wedge, a wear plate extending into said pocket and being arranged to be moved in two-directions by and vertically simultaneously with said wedge and move horizontally with respect to said wedge, and rubber means encased in said pocket for urging said wear plate outwardly of said pocket.

- 12.- In a spring plate, the combination of, a base having a. lower surface arranged to bear against .a nest of coil springs and an upper surface arranged to accommodate means for permitting a transverse movement of a bolster, spaced flanges upstanding from said base and arranged to lie adjacent columns of a side frame, and shoes outstanding from said flanges, said shoes each having an inclined surface on one side thereof and a pocket facing toward a column of a side frame and away from said inclined surface on another side thereof.

13. In a spring plate, the combination of, a base having a lower'surface arranged to bear upon a n t of il springs and an upper surface arranged to accommodate means for permitting transverse movement of a bolster, shoes outstanding from said base, an inclined surface on one side of each shoe, a pocket on another side of said shoe and facing away from said inclined surface, and a wear plate in each pocket.

14. In a spring plate, the combination of, a base having a lower surface arranged to bear upon a nest of coil springs and an upper surface arranged to accommodate means for permitting transverse movement of a bolster, shoes outstanding from said base, an inclined surface on one side of each shoe, a pocket on another side of said shoe and facing away. from said inclined surface, and a wear plate associated with each pocket arranged to move vertically with said to accommodate means for permitting transverse movement of a bolster, shoes outstandingfrom said base, an inclined surface on one side of each shoe, a pocket on another side of said shoe and facing away from said inclined surface, means in each pocket arranged to move horizontally relative to an associated shoe, and rubber means in each pocket for urging a related means outwardly therefrom.

17. In a railway truck, a side frame having spaced columns defining a bolster opening, a bolster structure having an end thereof within said opening, a nest of coil springs supporting said bolster structure from said side frame, longitudinally spaced shoe means formed integrally with a portion of said bolster structure, a spring seat spaced vertically from each shoe means and. arranged to move vertically with said bolster structure, a wedge having an inclined surface engaging a correspondingly formed surface on each shoe means, a coil spring acting vertically between each spring seat and wedge, a pocket in each wedge facing away from a related shoe means, a block extending into each pocket and arranged to move vertically with said shoe means, and rubber means confined within each pocket for urging a related block horizontally against an adjacent column.

18. In a wedge for use with a railway truck, the combination of, a vertical wall and a vertically inclined wall spaced from one another. a web joinwith 'the bolster and extending between the spaced surfaces of each column, friction means in engagement with the adjacent rigid means, resilient means urging said friction means into engagement with said rigid means and toward one of said spaced surfaces of each column, a recess in said friction means, wear means interlocked with said friction means, and spring means within said recess urging said wear means away from said friction meansand into engagement with one of said spaced surfaces of each column.

20. In a railway car truck, the combination of,

' a side frame having spaced columns and an interspring plate and move horizontally relative to said spring plate.

15. In a spring plate, the combination of, a base having a lower surface arranged to bear upon a nest of coil springs and an upper surface arranged to accommodate means for permitting transverse movement of a bolster, shoes outstanding from said base, an inclined surface on one side of each shoe, a pocket on another side of said shoe and facing away from said inclined surface, a wear vening bolster opening, each column having transversely spaced surfaces therein, a bolster resiliently supported within said opening, rigid means associated and vertically movable with said bolster and extending between the transversely spaced surfaces of each column, said rigid means carrying means infrictional engagement with at least one of said spaced surfaces of each column,

friction means in wedge engagement with the adjacentrigid means, resilient means urging said friction means into engagement with said rigid means and toward one of said spaced surfaces of 9 each column, a recess in said friction means, wear means interlocked with said friction means, and spring means within said recess urging said wear means away from said friction means and into engagement with another of said spaced surfaces of each column.

GLENN F. COUCH.

REFERENCES CITED Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Mohl Apr. 18, 1944 Buhoup June 6, 1911 Goodwin July 30, 1935 Webb Jan. 17, 1933 Couch May 9, 1944 Goodwin Sept. 8, 1936 Flesch Nov. 9, 1943 Rydm Apr. 11, 1944 Kux Feb. 11, 1919 Wellman May 31, 1927 

